A Brief Overview of RSV and How to Prevent this Disease

RSV is a respiratory virus that attached both the upper and lower portions of the respiratory tract. The virus can start off small with minor cold or flu symptoms or develop into something more "hospital serious" with bronchiolitis or pneumonia.

Infection Control

It is always the weak who are most vulnerable to infectious diseases as they do not have the strong immune system needed to fight off most infections. The elderly and young children and babies often get many illnesses but one to particularly watch for is RSV or respiratory syncytial virus.

RSV is a respiratory virus that attached both the upper and lower portions of the respiratory tract. The virus can start off small with minor cold or flu symptoms or develop into something more "hospital serious" with bronchiolitis or pneumonia. Some of the most common symptoms include cough, fever, lot of nasal drainage that runs clear and even poor appetite in babies as well as irritability.

Transmission of RSV

RSV is similar to other viruses in that it takes direct contact with the respiratory droplets that house the germs. Breathing in the same air as someone who sneezes and coughs is surefire way to contract the virus. In addition, because the virus can stay alive indefinitely on surfaces, you could even develop RSV after coming into contact with a contaminated surface and then touching your face near your eyes, nose or mouth.

Wintertime is the most common season when RSV occurs with early spring coming in a close second. It takes up to a week between exposure and symptoms cropping up. Unfortunately for infants, they can stay infectious for up to a month while older adults can spread the virus for about a week. For those with compromised immune systems, recurring health problems will be the likely result of RSV.

Treatment and Prevention of RSV

Because viruses cannot be treated successfully by antibiotics, there are other ways to treat RSV.  The chance of dehydration is great so fluids are promoted. And because RSV affects the respiratory system, oxygen is often needed for easier breathing. For those individuals with a higher susceptibility, antiviral medications are often tried like Ribavirin.

Health And Safety Anywhere where infected people traveled was a potential outbreak just waiting to happen. Even Toronto, Canada had health travel warnings issued temporarily at one time. The problem with SARS is that it can reappear practically anywhere in the world and scientists have been working hard on ways to lessen the severity of the virus. The virus that causes SARS can lives for several days on surfaces like telephones, door knobs, shopping carts, bathroom handles, and other common surfaces in public places. Infection Control Nursing

RSV can be prevented through proper hand washing hygiene. Soap and water is best as long as you spend at least a minute lathering up and washing between fingers as well as beneath fingernails. In addition, proper disposal of tissues used to wipe and blow noses is essential. Another way to decrease the chance of RSV happening to you or your baby includes disinfecting children's toys as well as common surfaces that everyone has the potential to touch.

While there is no vaccine for RSV at the moment, immune globulin is sometimes administered for high risk patients. This immune globulin helps boost body immunity with the production of new antibodies. There are some preventative treatments for RSV but only people who are highly susceptible to RSV typically get them. While these preventative treatments don't always halt the virus in its tracks, they do help your body produce antibodies to fight the infection. If you or your child is susceptible to respiratory illnesses, it would pay to ask your doctor about these treatments and avoid a trip to the hospital. RSV can be serious to the right people, so educate yourself about its dangers to both you and your kids.

Latest News Regarding Infection Control ?

07/24/2008
Summer Infection Danger (KSN - KODE Joplin)
Logging hours in the pool may be the ideal way to unwind in the heat. But if you're not careful, summer fun could mean bad news for your health, according to Freeman Infection Control Officer Teri Koch. "You need to look and be sure.

Summer Infection Danger (KSN - KODE Joplin)

07/21/2008
Booklet: 'Infection Control for Dummies' (UPI)
BOISE, Idaho, July 21 (UPI) -- Washing hands for 20 seconds with attention to fingernails will help prevent and control infections, the author of "Infection Control for Dummies" said.

Booklet: 'Infection Control for Dummies' (UPI)

07/24/2008
YOU ARE HERE: (Aidsmap)
Essential activities to reduce the burden of TB in people with HIV known as the Three I’s, (intensified TB case finding, infection control and isoniazid preventive therapy) can be successfully integrated into HIV care facilities according to reports at the HIV Implementer’s Meeting held this past June in Kampala.

YOU ARE HERE: (Aidsmap)

07/21/2008
Booklet: 'Infection Control for Dummies' (UPI)
BOISE, Idaho, July 21 (UPI) -- Washing hands for 20 seconds with attention to fingernails will help prevent and control infections, the author of "Infection Control for Dummies" said.

Booklet: 'Infection Control for Dummies' (UPI)

07/24/2008
Staph infection kills SoCal high school wrestler (Los Angeles Times)
A high school wrestler died from complications of a drug-resistant staph infection and a teammate was being treated for the illness.

Staph infection kills SoCal high school wrestler (Los Angeles Times)

07/24/2008
YOU ARE HERE: (Aidsmap)
Essential activities to reduce the burden of TB in people with HIV known as the Three I’s, (intensified TB case finding, infection control and isoniazid preventive therapy) can be successfully integrated into HIV care facilities according to reports at the HIV Implementer’s Meeting held this past June in Kampala.

YOU ARE HERE: (Aidsmap)

07/23/2008
QEH officials confident bacterial outbreak is under control (The Guardian)
Three months and 12 patients later, the vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) outbreak is under control at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown.

QEH officials confident bacterial outbreak is under control (The Guardian)